Literary analysis: till we have faces

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Literary analysis till we have faces

• A Starting Point

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What is a literary analysis essay?

• Writing that focuses on a certain motif or theme
  of a piece of literature (could focus on entire
  work)
• An evaluation of the aspects that prove your
  overriding idea (thesis)
• Relies of a thorough evaluation of the text to
  show, concretely, that argument is accurate

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Thoughts on Till We Have Faces motifs

• Christ Figure

• Love

1. This is NOT a definition essay. The essay will
   not be just a list of traits one character
   displays.
2. References/quotes from Professor Christ figure
   and/or from the Bible are necessary since this is
   the list of qualifications you are using.
3. How has the Christ figure impacted the characters
   or the plot?
4. What could Lewis want to teach audiences by using
   the Christ figure?

• What kind of love do you want to focus on
  specifically?
• What have you noticed about this type of love?
• Has it negatively or positively affected a
  character(s)?
• How has it impacted the plot?
• What lesson might Lewis want to convey about this
  type of love?

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Thoughts on Till We Have Faces motifs

• Fear

• Transformation of a Character

• Which character(s) do you want to focus on
  specifically?
• What have you noticed about the impact of this
  emotion?
• Has it negatively affected a character(s)?
• Has it greatly impacted the plot?
• What lesson might Lewis want to convey about
  fear?

• Which character(s) do you want to focus on
  specifically?
• What have you noticed about this characters
  change?
• Has it negatively affected a character(s)?
• Has it greatly impacted the plot?
• What lesson might Lewis want to convey about
  characters/people who do or do not change/adapt?
• One transformation to consider Oruals
  transformation from Ungit to Psyche. What is
  Lewiss point about this rebirth? How does it
  correlate to his beliefs?

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Thoughts on Till We Have Faces motifs

• Logic/Reason vs. Faith

• Transformation of ancient text

• What aspects of the myth have been updated?
• What have you noticed about these changes?
• Are they integral to the plot?
• What would change in the updated story if
  transformations were not present?
• How does Lewis weave certain parts of the myth
  (like the tasks) into the novel and how do these
  parts enhance his themes or the plot?
• Ultimately, why does Lewis use this specific
  ancient text? Why use classical myth as a
  starting point at all? What impact does this have
  on the readers understanding of themes?

• Which character(s) represent each concept?
• How does each represent the concept?
• Are they acting as character foils?
• What role does each character serve in terms of
  plot or influence on other characters?
• What lesson might Lewis want to convey about
  those who rely on logic? Faith?

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Thoughts on Till We Have Faces motifs

• The significance of the characters surrounding
  Orual

• Parallels between Orual and Lewis in their
  spiritual journeys

1. What concepts/types do other characters represent
   in the novel?
2. What is their impact on Oruals development
   throughout the novel?
3. What message might Lewis be trying to convey
   about the different types the potential
   believer encounters on his journey? What
   conclusions does he seem to draw about those
   types?

1. Break down the stages Oruals journey from
   fearful belief to resentment to negligence to
   redemption and understanding.
2. Research Lewiss life and his own spiritual
   journey. Identify parallels between the stages of
   their development.
3. How does Lewis use Oruals story not only to
   parallel his own, but to deliver a spiritual
   message to others?

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Thoughts on Till We Have Faces motifs

• Dreams in the Novel

• Dreams are used several times in the novel.
• What is the content of each dream?
• Under what circumstances does each dream occur?
• What do the dreams reveal about the dreamer?
• Mental state?
• Fears?
• How does the use of dreams in the novel help to
  enhance themes?